System and method for installation of solid edge banding for cabinetry

ABSTRACT

A system and method for installation of “solid edge banding” for the exposed edges of kitchen and bath cabinetry to provide a finished look and aesthetic appeal is disclosed. The solid edge banding can be used on framed cabinets, frameless cabinets, cabinets with end skin-panels and shelves. The disclosed system and method can also be used to reface cabinetry without the use of tools, adhesives or specialized labor, and further without the need for replacement of the base, wall and tall cabinet boxes, and while keeping countertops and appliances intact and untouched. The solid edge banding can also be used in conjunction with ready-to-assemble furniture and closet organizers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for installation of “solidedge banding” for the exposed edges of kitchen and bath cabinetry toprovide a finished look and aesthetic appeal. The solid edge banding canbe used on framed cabinets, frameless cabinets, cabinets with endskin-panels and shelves, or to give a frameless cabinet the look of aframed cabinet. The invention also relates to a system and method ofrefacing kitchen and bath cabinetry without the use of tools, adhesivesor specialized labor, and further without the need for replacement ofthe base, wall and tall cabinet boxes, and while keeping the countertopsand appliances intact and untouched. The invention can also be used inconjunction with ready-to-assemble furniture and closet organizers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Kitchens and baths can be expensive to build and remodel, in great partbecause of the cost of cabinetry. Stock cabinets come in standard sizesand shapes, and are usually available to take home from the store thesame day. Sizes and finishes are limited with stock cabinetry, but theprice is lower for customers on a budget. Semi-custom cabinets are builtafter a customer's order is placed, so the customer typically can selectfrom certain sizes and styles. That flexibility makes it easier todesign a kitchen that fits the customer's particular requirements.Semi-custom cabinetry usually requires some lead time for delivery ascompared to stock cabinetry. It is also more expensive than stockcabinetry. Custom cabinets are made by hand to fit any standard desiredby a customer. An odd-sized or irregular-shaped space in a kitchen mightnot accommodate a stock or semi-custom cabinet piece, but a customcabinetmaker can build whatever the customer needs or wants. Customcabinets are the most expensive of the three types; the exact pricevaries widely because of size, materials and options. The time it takesto receive a custom-cabinet order depends on the cabinetmaker'sschedule.

Cabinets can be “framed” or “frameless.” A framed cabinet has a woodframe attached to the front edges of the cabinet box. A framelesscabinet does not use a frame on the front outside edges of the cabinetbox. Instead, the front of the cabinet box is formed by the edges of thetop, bottom and side panels of the cabinet box. The cabinet doortypically covers the edges when closed. The cabinet is strengthened bythe back and sides in this construction.

Customer assembled or “knock down” cabinetry can be sold for a lowerprice due to lower manufacturing and transportation costs that ariseprincipally from the elimination of factory assembly of the cabinets andresultant substantially reduced shipping volumes. If the parts andassembly and installation processes of the cabinetry facilitate acustomer to “do it yourself” through clear instructions, simplicity, andflexibility, and easy to set up and adjust connectors and hardware, thesavings to that customer are even greater.

The replacement of cabinetry is also an expensive proposition for acustomer. Often customers look to “reface” their existing cabinet boxesto provide a new look without incurring the cost of buying newcabinetry. Refacing is the process of replacing doors and drawer fronts,while veneering cabinet boxes. “Do it yourself” cabinet refacing can bedifficult. While door and drawer front replacement may not be difficult,veneering the front portions of the cabinet boxes to provide a new lookrequires skill. The veneer will peel if it is not installed correctly.

Ready-to-assemble furniture (RTA), also known as knock-down furniture orflat pack furniture, is purchased in multiple pieces and requiresassembly. The furniture is packed in a box and contains instructions forthe buyer to follow to assemble it. The box typically contains a numberof parts, including fasteners, screws, fixings, and other pieces, thatare needed to assemble the furniture. Ready-to-assemble furniture can bepurchased for a number of purposes, including living room furniture;office furniture; bookcases; tables; beds; outdoor furniture, swingsets;patio sets; kitchen and bath cabinets; and CD/DVD storage racks.

Similarly, closet organization systems are often sold for self-designand self-assembly, much like self-assembly furniture.

Kitchen, cabinet boxes, ready-to-assemble furniture and closetorganizers are typically made out of particle board, MDF or othercomposites, plywood or wood. The planar components of the cabinetry canvary, typically from ½″ and ⅜″ for framed cabinets and up to ¾″ forframeless cabinets. Particle board is an engineered wood productmanufactured from wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even saw dust, and asynthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded.MDF is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down hardwood orsoftwood residuals into wood fibers, combining it with wax and a resinbinder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure.

Most cabinetry is made out of wood or wood composites, and wood absorbsor gives off moisture with changes in humidity and temperature of thesurrounding air, thus undergoing changes in moisture content anddimension. While proper drying of wood can confine the shrinking andswelling of wood to manageable levels, cabinet doors and drawers maystick during periods of high humidity; molding joints may open; andsolid wood panels in raised panel doors may shrink exposing unfinishedwood along the edges of the frame.

The exposed edges of those planar components need to be finished in amanner that they match the texture and color of the exterior of thecabinetry, or “façade.” One common system used to finish the exposededges is through the use of “edge banding,” which is typically a “tape”that is finished to match the façade that is glued to the exposed edgeof the cabinet using edge bonding, which is a thin layer glued to theexposed edge of the cabinet panel, making the edge banding impossible toremove and/or replace. Edge banding tape is packaged in rolls andproduced with popular finishes. Under current techniques, the edgebanding must be glued to the exposed edge of the cabinet bysemi-specialized labor. The application of edge banding adds an extrastep in the manufacturing process of cabinetry. Further, it often lacksaesthetical appeal and precludes removal after installation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,216 to Enns and titled MODULAR FURNITURE discloses asystem for the assembly of modular furniture comprising flat surfacepanels. Each flat surface panel has a plurality of peripheral edges,with longitudinally extending grooves formed in one or more of theperipheral edges, and edge members for covering the peripheral edgescorresponding in cross-sectional shape with the grooves for slideableengagement.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,653,075 to Williamson and titled FIELD ALTERABLE, GLASSREINFORCED PLASTIC DOOR PANEL discloses a glass reinforce plastic doorpanel of unitary construction that is field alterable to fit anout-of-true frame is provided. The door panel is arranged with a strike,or lock, side stile formed as a thick-walled structural channel open tothe panel side. Alteration of the door is accomplished by trimming thechannel walls without otherwise affecting the integrity of the panel.After trimming the channel walls, a flexible cap strip is emplacedwithin the channel to form a finished door edge.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,380 to Azzar and titled ELASTOMERIC EDGE MOLDINGWITH INTEGRALLY EXTRUDED DECOR LINE discloses an elongated elastomericT-molding formed of a body having opposed decorative outer and innermounting surfaces defining spaced first and second edges and beingadapted for flush mounting to an edge of an article of furniture bymeans of an integral flange projecting at right angles outwardly of theinner mounting surface of the body is frictionally fitted within anelongated groove within an edge of a planar article of furniture suchthat the inner mounting surface of the body lies flush with the edge ofsuch planar article of furniture.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,063,475 to Ciancio et al. and titled COMPOSITE FORMABLEEDGE BANDING T-MOLDING discloses an elongated continuous molding with aT-shaped cross section and having a relatively rigid core body situatedbetween a flexible cover layer and a barbed mounting strip. The corebody, the cover layer and the barbed mounting strip are made ofcompatible thermal plastic materials and are integrally andsimultaneously formed by extrusion. The T-molding is bendable to retainselected curved or bent shape along its length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for installation of “solidedge banding detail” (SEBD) to the exposed edges of kitchen and bathcabinetry to provide a finished look and aesthetic appeal. The solidedge banding can be used on framed cabinets, frameless cabinets,cabinets with end skin-panels and shelves, or to give a framelesscabinet the look of a framed cabinet. The invention also relates to amethod of refacing kitchen and bath cabinetry without use of tools,adhesives or specialized labor, and further without the need forreplacement of the base, wall and tall cabinet boxes, and while keepingthe countertops and appliances intact and untouched. The invention canalso be used in conjunction with ready-to-assemble furniture and closetorganizers.

The system and method of the invention of applying an SEBD is simple foran ordinary customer. No connectors, hardware or glue are required toapply the SEBD to the exposed edge of a cabinet. The system and methodof the invention offer a customer a simple way to provide greataesthetical appeal to cabinetry. Additionally, the SEBD is easilyremoved and replaced when and if a customer decides to reface thecabinetry.

The SEBD is an elongated molding with one of its sides adapted for flushor uneven mounting, depending on its functionality, by means of anintegral flange projecting to frictionally fit within an elongatedgroove in the exposed edges of cabinet panels. Due to the frictionalfit, there is no need to glue, nail, screw or staple the SEBD intoplace. The SEBD can then easily be removed and changed to reface thecabinets and give them a new look.

The SEBD is made of wood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber. It can easilybe fabricated in 8′ or 12′ long strips and later cut to the same lengthof the cabinet panels to which it is to be installed to create a flushfit. The SEBD can be finished with the same texture and color as thefronts and trimmings of the cabinetry. The flange dimensions can befabricated in response to different functional requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals.

FIG. 1A depicts an SEBD for frameless cabinetry having an integralflange and the exposed edge of a vertical cabinet panel having anelongated groove.

FIG. 1B depicts the assembled cabinet of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A depicts an SEBD for frameless cabinetry having an integralflange and the exposed edge of a horizontal cabinet panel having anelongated groove.

FIG. 2B depicts the assembled cabinet of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A depicts the upper portion of an unassembled base, wall or tallframeless cabinet and SEBDs for the vertical and horizontal cabinetpanels.

FIG. 3B depicts the assembled cabinet of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A depicts the upper portion of an unassembled base, wall or tallframeless cabinet and SEBDs showing vertical and horizontal cabinetpanels having an exposed side panel, where the SEBD for the verticalcabinet panel has an asymmetric cross section.

FIG. 4B depicts the assembled cabinet box of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A depicts an SEBD to provide an aesthetic effect to the exposededges of a double sided shelf having two finished skin panels.

FIG. 5B depicts the assembled double sided shelf of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C depicts an SEBD to provide an aesthetic effect to the exposededge of a shelf having one finished skin panel.

FIG. 5D depicts the assembled shelf of FIG. 5C.

FIG. 5E depicts an SEBD to provide an aesthetic effect to the exposededges of a double sided shelf having two finished skin panels.

FIG. 5F depicts the assembled double sided shelf of FIG. 5E.

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 depict the use of dowels with the SEBD in theembodiments shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 4A and 4B.

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 depict the use of dowels only to attach the SEBD inthe embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 4A and 4B.

FIG. 12A depicts the upper left portion of an unassembled base, wall ortall cabinet box and SEBDs for the vertical and horizontal cabinetpanels that give the appearance of a framed cabinet.

FIG. 12B depicts the assembled upper left portion of the unassembledbase, wall or tall framed cabinet box of FIG. 12A and SEBDs for thevertical and horizontal cabinet panels.

FIG. 12C depicts the assembled cabinet box of FIGS. 12A and 12B.

FIG. 13A depicts the upper portion of an unassembled base, wall or tallcabinet and SEBD showing vertical and horizontal cabinet panels havingan exposed side panel that give the appearance of a framed cabinet,where the SEBD for the vertical cabinet panel has an asymmetric crosssection.

FIG. 13B depicts the assembled upper left portion of the assembledcabinet box of FIG. 13A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system and method for installation of “solidedge banding detail” (SEBD) to the exposed edges of kitchen and bathcabinetry to provide a finished look and aesthetic appeal. The solidedge banding can be used on framed cabinets, frameless cabinets,cabinets with end skin-panels and shelves, or to give a framelesscabinet the look of a framed cabinet. The invention also relates to amethod of refacing kitchen and bath cabinetry without use of tools,adhesives or specialized labor, and further without the need forreplacement of the base, wall and tall cabinet boxes, and while keepingthe countertops and appliances intact and untouched.

While the invention is described below in the context of frameless andframed cabinetry, a person having ordinary skill in the art will readilyunderstand how to apply the invention to be used in conjunction withready-to-assemble furniture and closet organizers.

The system and method of the invention for installing an SEBD is simplefor an ordinary customer. No connectors, hardware or glue are requiredto apply the SEBD to the exposed edge of a cabinet. The system andmethod of the invention offer a customer a simple way to provide greataesthetical appeal to cabinetry. Additionally, the SEBD is easilyremoved and replaced when and if a customer decides to reface thecabinetry.

The SEBD is an elongated molding with one of its sides adapted for flushor uneven mounting, depending on its functionality, by means of anintegral flange projecting to frictionally fit within an elongatedgroove in the exposed edges of cabinet panels.

The thickness of the SEBD in most instances will be the same as thethickness of the cabinet box to be covered. Other profiles can beachieved to cover other attached boards either inside and/or outside thecabinet box.

The front profile of the SEBD in one embodiment is substantially flat.In other embodiments, the front profile of the SEBD can be modified, forexample, to be semi or full bullnose, beveled, etc. or any other profiledesired.

The flexibility of the SEBD in conjunction with the attachment systemallows the SEBDs to be modified to become fillers, pilasters, molding,frames, etc.

In one embodiment, the SEBD is secured to the cabinet panel by way ofthe frictional fit of the integral flange of the SEBD within theelongated groove in the exposed edge of the cabinet panel. In thisembodiment, there is no need to glue, nail, screw or staple the SEBD tosecure it into place. Further, the SEBD can then easily be removed andchanged to reface the cabinets and give them a new look withoutdestroying or marring the SEBD.

In one embodiment, the integral flange of the SEBD is provided with aplurality of holes configured to receive dowels that extend from theelongated groove in the exposed end of the cabinet panel. In oneembodiment, the dowels are plastic. In one embodiment, the holes are 8mm in diameter.

In one embodiment, the SEBD comprises a plurality of holes configured toreceive dowels that extend from the exposed end of the cabinet panel. Inone embodiment, the dowels are plastic. In one embodiment, the holes are8 mm in diameter. In this embodiment, the SEBD is mated to the cabinetpanel with the dowels only.

The SEBD can be applied also to the edge of inside partitions orshelves, which are visible in cabinets with two doors to achieve anaesthetic effect.

The SEBD can comprise wood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber. In oneembodiment, the SEBD is fabricated in 8′ or 12′ long strips and latercut to match the length of the cabinet panel to which it is to beattached. The SEBD can be finished with a variety of textures and colorsto match the fronts and trimmings of the cabinetry to which it is to beattached. The flange dimensions can be fabricated in response todifferent functional requirements, such as an asymmetrical positioningon the SEBD for use on cabinet panels having an end skin panel.

The SEBD may comprise the same construction materials as the cabinetpanels so that the external atmospheric conditions affect the SEBD andthe cabinet wood in similar or identical manners. For example, expansionor shrinkage of the wood will be the same or very similar, such that theSEBD does not expand within the elongated groove of the edge of thecabinet panel and potentially crack, or alternatively shrink such thatit becomes loose.

In one embodiment, the SEBD is fabricated with tools and equipmentavailable at the facility where cabinetry is made, allowing qualitycontrol, fit, dimensions, finishing, etc. to be performedsimultaneously. No special tooling or molds are required to fabricateand fit the SEBD to the cabinet panel. In one embodiment, the SEBD canbe packed pre-installed in the end of a cabinet panel. In oneembodiment, the SEBD can be packed along with the four panels of eachcabinet box for assembly by the customer on-site. In one embodiment, theSEBD can be packed separately from the panels of the cabinet box and canbe selected according to finish and/or style. The last two options areadvantageous for use with the “knock-down” cabinetry system.

The SEBD can be designed and quickly and easily manufactured withdifferent cross sections and different profiles, symmetric orasymmetric. For example, the SEBD can be asymmetric with one sideextended in order to hide the edge of a finished skin panel of a cabinetbox that is located at the end of the run. In other cases, the SEBD canbe extended ¼″ or more on both sides or adopt an “L” cross section fordifferent applications.

In one embodiment, the SEBD can be used when installing cabinetry.

In one embodiment, the SEBD can be used in connection with affordable,quick and easy “cabinetry refacing”, which allows the replacement of“the façade” of already-installed and operational kitchen or bathcabinetry. During refacing, door fronts, drawer fronts, and trimmings(crown moldings, pilasters, fillers, valances, toe kicks and the SEBDs)can be changed to provide a different style and/or texture and color forthe cabinetry. During refacing, the base, wall and tall cabinet boxes,counters and appliances can remain untouched.

Typically, in cabinet construction, both planar surfaces of all of thecabinet panels that are provided to assemble the base, wall and tallcabinet boxes are finished only in one neutral color for streamlinedmass production. When the cabinet box is assembled, its four peripheralfront edges are unfinished and are exposed just behind the door and/ordrawer fronts. At this point, the unfinished exposed edges appear aspart of the façade of the cabinetry.

The SEBD is finished to match the finish of the cabinet boxes and,depending on the position of each cabinet, to be installed to cover theexposed edges of the cabinet boxes whether those cabinet boxes are inthe middle of a row or at the end of a run. The flexibility of the SEBDallows its cross section to be configured to also cover the exposed edgeof a side skin-panel finished as the façade. The SEBD can be configuredin a shape to cover the exposed edge of a framed or unframed cabinetfront.

Four SEBDs are installed for each cabinet box: two vertical SEBDs andtwo horizontal SEBDs. The SEBDs are typically 30″ long for standard basecabinets; 24″, 30″, 36″ and 42″ long for standard wall cabinets; and84″, 90″ and 96″ long for standard tall cabinets. Horizontal SEBDs canrange from 7½″ for 9″ wide cabinets, increasing by 3″ respectively, upto 40½″ for 42″ cabinets. Due to the integral “tongue and groove”attachment method, the SEBDs can be cut at any other desired length. Thedimensions of the SEBD match exactly the length of the correspondingedges of the vertical and horizontal panels of the cabinet boxes, whichfacilitates their recognition and posterior installation, and can bepackaged in different ways, individually or together with the cabinetpanels, or with the corresponding door and/or drawer fronts whose finishmatches with the finish of the SEBDs.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1A depicts SEBD 110A having an integralflange 120A and the exposed edge 130A of a frameless vertical cabinetpanel 140A having an elongated groove 150A. The integral flange 120A ofthe SEBD 110A in this embodiment has a recess 160A at one end 170A ofthe SEBD 110A. An object such as a flat head screwdriver (not shown) canbe inserted into the recess 160A to assist in removing the SEBD 110Afrom the elongated groove 150A of frameless vertical cabinet panel 140A.

FIG. 1B depicts SEBD 110A attached to frameless vertical cabinet panel140A of FIG. 1A. Insertion of integral flange 120A into elongated groove150A causes a frictional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 110A toframeless vertical cabinet panel 140A, thus covering exposed edge 130Aand providing an aesthetic effect to vertical cabinet panel 140A.

FIG. 2A depicts SEBD 110B having an integral flange 120B and the exposededge 130B of a frameless horizontal cabinet panel 140B having anelongated groove 150B. Integral flange 120B of the SEBD 110B in thisembodiment has a recess 160B at one end 170B of SEBD 110B. An objectsuch as a flat head screwdriver (not shown) can be inserted into recess160B to assist in removing SEBD 110B from elongated groove 150B offrameless horizontal cabinet panel 140B.

FIG. 2B depicts SEBD 110B attached to frameless horizontal cabinet panel140B of FIG. 2A. Insertion of integral flange 120B into elongated groove150B causes a frictional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 110B toframeless horizontal cabinet panel 140B, thus covering exposed edge 130Band providing an aesthetic effect to frameless horizontal cabinet panel140B.

FIG. 3A depicts a system 300 comprising the configurations shown inFIGS. 1B and 2B of the upper portion of an unassembled framelessvertical base, wall or tall cabinet panel 140A and frameless horizontalbase, wall or tall cabinet panel 140B, and SEBDs 110A and 110Bcomprising integral flanges 120A and 120B to be inserted in elongatedgrooves 150A and 150B of exposed edges 130A and 130B, respectively. Inthis embodiment, vertical SEBD 110A has the same height of framelessvertical cabinet panel 140A, and horizontal SEBD 110B has the samelength as frameless horizontal base, wall or tall cabinet panel 140B.

FIG. 3B depicts the assembled cabinet box of FIG. 3A. Integral flanges120A and 120B have been inserted into elongated grooves 150A and 150B ofexposed edges 130A and 130B of vertical cabinet panel 140A and framelesshorizontal cabinet panel 140B, respectively, resulting in assembledframeless cabinet 300.

FIG. 4A depicts a system 400 comprising the upper portion of anunassembled frameless vertical base, wall or tall cabinet panel 440A andframeless horizontal base, wall or tall cabinet panel 440B whereframeless vertical cabinet panel 440A has an exposed side panel at theend of a run of cabinet boxes, and SEBDs 410A and 410B comprisingintegral flanges 420A and 420B to be inserted in elongated grooves 450Aand 450B of exposed edges 430A and 430B of frameless vertical andhorizontal cabinet panels 440A and 440B. In this embodiment, verticalSEBD 410A has the same height of frameless vertical cabinet panel 440A,and horizontal SEBD 410B has the same length as frameless horizontalcabinet panel 440B. In this embodiment, exposed side panel of framelessvertical cabinet panel 440A has received a finished skin panel 480A thatmatches the vertical cabinet panel's façade finish, where finished skinpanel 480A has exposed edge 485A. SEBD 410A has an asymmetric crosssection 415 that is configured to cover exposed side panel of verticalcabinet panel 440A. Asymmetric cross section 415 provides a flush finishto cover both exposed edge 430A of frameless vertical cabinet panel 440Aand exposed edge 485A of finished skin panel 480A. In this embodiment,SEBD 410B used in connection with frameless horizontal cabinet panel440B has a symmetric cross section (not shown) to cover exposed edge430B of frameless horizontal cabinet panel 440B.

FIG. 4B depicts the assembled frameless cabinet box of FIG. 4A.Insertion of integral flange 420A into elongated groove 450A causes africtional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 410A to framelessvertical cabinet panel 440A, thus covering exposed edge 430A of verticalcabinet panel 440A and exposed edge 485A of finished skin panel 480A andproviding an aesthetic effect to frameless vertical cabinet panel 440A.Insertion of integral flange 420B into elongated groove 450B causes africtional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 410B to framelesshorizontal cabinet panel 440B, thus covering exposed edge 430B andproviding an aesthetic effect to frameless horizontal cabinet panel440B.

FIG. 5A depicts a system 500A comprising SEBD 510A to be installed overexposed edges 530A of a double sided shelf 545A, wherein double sidedshelf 545A has two finished skin panels 580A that match the double sidedshelf's façade finish, wherein each finished skin panel 580A has anexposed edge 585A.

FIG. 5B depicts assembled double sided shelf 545A with attached SEBD510A of FIG. 5A. Insertion of integral flange 520A into elongated groove550A causes a frictional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 510A todouble sided shelf 545A, thus covering exposed edges 530A and 585A andproviding an aesthetic effect to double sided shelf 545A.

FIG. 5C depicts a system 500C comprising an SEBD to be installed overexposed edge 530C of a shelf 545C, wherein shelf 545C has one finishedskin panel 580C that matches the shelf's façade finish, wherein thefinished skin panel 580C has an exposed edge 585C.

FIG. 5D depicts assembled shelf 545C with attached SEBD 510C of FIG. 5C.Insertion of integral flange 520C into elongated groove 550C causes africtional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 510C to shelf 545C,thus covering exposed edges 530C and 585C and providing an aestheticeffect to shelf 545C.

FIG. 5E depicts a second embodiment of a system 500E comprising SEBD510E to be installed over exposed edge 530E of a double sided shelf545E, wherein double sided shelf 545E has two finished skin panels 580Ethat match the double sided shelf's façade finish, wherein each finishedskin panel 580E has an exposed edge 585E.

FIG. 5F depicts assembled double sided shelf 545E with attached SEBD510E of FIG. 5A. Insertion of integral flange 520E into elongated groove550E causes a frictional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 510E todouble sided shelf 545E, thus covering exposed edges 530E and 585E andproviding an aesthetic effect to double sided shelf 545E.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a system 600 wherein dowels 625 alongwith the frictional engagement caused by the insertion of integralflanges 620A and 620B in elongated grooves 650A and 650B are used toattach SEBDs 610A and 610B to frameless vertical cabinet panel 640A andframeless horizontal cabinet panel 640B, respectively. A plurality ofholes 635 are drilled in integral flanges 620A and 620B, and alsoelongated grooves 650A and 650B, to accept insertion of dowels 625.Insertion of integral flanges 620A and 620B into elongated grooves 650Aand 650B, along with insertion of dowels 625 into holes 635, causefrictional engagements that removably attach SEBDs 610A and 610B toframeless vertical cabinet panel 640A and frameless horizontal cabinetpanel 640B, respectively, thus covering exposed edges 630A and 630B andproviding an aesthetic effect to frameless vertical cabinet panel 640Aand frameless horizontal cabinet panel 640B, respectively.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a system 700 wherein dowels 725 alongwith the frictional engagement caused by the insertion of integralflanges 720A and 720B in elongated grooves 750A and 750B are used toattach SEBDs 710A and 710B to frameless vertical cabinet panel 740A andframeless horizontal cabinet panel 740B, respectively, where framelessvertical cabinet panel 740A has an exposed side panel at the end of arun of cabinet boxes. In this embodiment, exposed side panel offrameless vertical cabinet panel 740A has received a finished skin panel780 that matches the frameless vertical cabinet panel's façade finish,where finished skin panel 780 has exposed edge 785. SEBD 710A has anasymmetric cross section 715 that is configured to provide a flushfinish to cover both exposed edge 730A of frameless vertical cabinetpanel 740A and exposed edge 785 of finished skin panel 780. In thisembodiment, SEBD 710B used in connection with frameless horizontalcabinet panel 740B has a symmetric cross section (not shown) to coverexposed edge 730B of frameless horizontal cabinet panel 740B. Aplurality of holes 735 are drilled in integral flanges 720A and 720B,and also elongated grooves 750A and 750B, to accept insertion of dowels725. Insertion of integral flanges 720A and 720B into elongated grooves750A and 750B, along with insertion of dowels 725 into holes 735, causefrictional engagements that removably attach SEBDs 710A and 710B toframeless vertical cabinet panel 740A and frameless horizontal cabinetpanel 740B, respectively, thus covering exposed edges 730A, 730B and785, providing an aesthetic effect to frameless vertical cabinet panel740A and frameless horizontal cabinet panel 740B, respectively.

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a system 800 wherein dowels 825 alongwith the frictional engagements caused by the insertion of integralflanges 820 in elongated grooves 850 are used to attach SEBD 810 todouble sided shelf 845, wherein double sided shelf 845 has two finishedskin panels 880 that match the double sided shelf's façade and whereinfurther each finished skin panel 880 has an exposed edge 885. Aplurality of holes 835 are drilled in integral flanges 820 and elongatedgrooves 850 to accept insertion of dowels 825. Insertion of integralflanges 820 into elongated grooves 850 along with insertion of dowels825 into holes 835, causes frictional engagements that removably attachSEBD 810 to double sided shelf 845, thus covering exposed edges 830 and885, providing an aesthetic effect to double sided shelf 845.

FIG. 9 depicts one embodiment of a system 900 wherein dowels 925 areused to attach SEBDs 910A and 910B to frameless vertical cabinet panel940A and frameless horizontal cabinet panel 940B, respectively. Aplurality of holes 935 are drilled in SEBDs 910A and 910B, and alsoelongated grooves 950A and 950B, to accept insertion of dowels 925.Insertion of dowels 925 into holes 935 causes frictional engagementsthat removably attach SEBDs 910A and 910B to frameless vertical cabinetpanel 940A and frameless horizontal cabinet panel 940B, respectively,thus covering exposed edges 930A and 930B and providing an aestheticeffect to frameless vertical cabinet panel 940A and frameless horizontalcabinet panel 940B, respectively.

FIG. 10 one embodiment of a system 1000 wherein dowels 1025 are used toattach SEBDs 1010A and 1010B to frameless vertical cabinet panel 1040Aand frameless horizontal cabinet panel 1040B, respectively, whereframeless vertical cabinet panel 1040A has an exposed side panel at theend of a run of cabinet boxes. SEBD 1010A has an asymmetric crosssection 1015 that is configured to cover exposed edge 1030A of framelessvertical cabinet panel 1040A which is located at the end of a run ofcabinets. In this embodiment, frameless vertical cabinet panel 1040A hasreceived a finished skin panel 1080 that matches the frameless verticalcabinet panel's façade finish, where finished skin panel 1080 hasexposed edge 1085. Asymmetric cross section 1015 provides a flush finishto cover both exposed edge 1030A of frameless vertical cabinet panel1040A and exposed edge 1085 of finished skin panel 1080. In thisembodiment, SEBD 1010B used in connection with frameless horizontalcabinet panel 1040B has a symmetric cross section (not shown) to coverexposed edge 1030B of frameless horizontal cabinet panel 1040B. Aplurality of holes 1035 are drilled in SEBDs 1010A and 1010B, and alsoelongated grooves 1050A and 1050B, to accept insertion of dowels 1025.Insertion of dowels 1025 into holes 1035 causes frictional engagementsthat removably attach SEBDs 1010A and 1010B to frameless verticalcabinet panel 1040A and frameless horizontal cabinet panel 1040B,respectively, thus covering exposed edges 1030A, 1030B and 1085,providing an aesthetic effect to frameless vertical cabinet panel 1040Aand frameless horizontal cabinet panel 1040B, respectively.

FIG. 11 depicts one embodiment of a system 1100 wherein dowels 1125 areused to attach SEBD 1110 to double sided shelf 1145, wherein doublesided shelf 1145 has two finished skin panels 1180 that match the doublesided shelf's façade, where edge finished skin panel 1180 has an exposededge 1185. A plurality of holes 1135 are drilled in SEBDs 1110 andelongated grooves 1150 to accept insertion of dowels 1125. Insertion ofdowels 1125 into holes 1135 causes frictional engagements that removablyattach SEBD 1110 to double sided shelf 1145, thus covering exposed edges1130 and 1185, providing an aesthetic effect to double sided shelf 1145.

FIG. 12A depicts a system 1200 comprising the upper left portion of anunassembled vertical base, wall or tall cabinet panel 1240A andhorizontal base, wall or tall cabinet panel 1240B, and SEBDs 1210A and1210B comprising integral flanges 1220A and 1220B to be inserted inelongated grooves 1250A and 1250B of exposed edges 1230A and 1230B ofvertical and horizontal cabinet panels 1240A and 1240B. In thisembodiment, vertical SEBD 1210A has the same height of vertical cabinetpanel 1240A, and horizontal SEBD 1210B has the same length as horizontalcabinet panel 1240B. SEBD 1210A has an asymmetric cross section 1215that is configured to provide the look of a framed cabinet and to coverexposed edge 1230A of vertical cabinet panel 1240A. In this embodiment,SEBD 1210B similarly has an asymmetric cross section 1215 that isconfigured to provide the look of a framed cabinet and to cover exposededge 1230B of horizontal cabinet panel 1240B.

FIG. 12B depicts system 1200 comprising the upper right portion of theunassembled vertical base, wall or tall cabinet panel 1240A andhorizontal base, wall or tall cabinet panel 1240B and SEBDs 1210A and1210B comprising integral flanges 1220A and 1220B shown as inserted inelongated grooves 1250A and 1250B of exposed edges 1230A and 1230B ofvertical and horizontal cabinet panels 1240A and 1240B. In thisembodiment, vertical SEBD 1210A has the same height of vertical cabinetpanel 1240A, and horizontal SEBD 1210B has the same length as horizontalcabinet panel 1240B. SEBD 1210A has an asymmetric cross section 1215that is configured to provide the look of a framed cabinet and to coverexposed edge 1230A of vertical cabinet panel 1240A. In this embodiment,SEBD 1210B similarly has an asymmetric cross section 1215 that isconfigured to provide the look of a framed cabinet and to cover exposededge 1230B of horizontal cabinet panel 1240B.

FIG. 12C depicts the assembled cabinet box of FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C.Insertion of integral flange 1220A into elongated groove 1250A causes africtional engagement that removably attaches SEBD 1210A to verticalcabinet panel 1240A, thus covering exposed edge 1230A and providing theeffect of a framed cabinet to vertical cabinet panel 1240A. Insertion ofintegral flange 1220B into elongated groove 1250B causes a frictionalengagement that removably attaches SEBD 1210B to horizontal cabinetpanel 1240B, thus covering exposed edge 1230B and providing the effectof a framed cabinet to horizontal cabinet panel 1240B.

FIG. 13A depicts the upper portion of an unassembled base, wall or tallcabinet and SEBD showing vertical and horizontal cabinet panels havingan exposed side panel, where frameless vertical cabinet panel 1340A hasan exposed side panel at the end of a run of Vertical base, wall or tallcabinet panel 1340A and horizontal base, wall or tall cabinet panel1340B, and SEBDs 1310A and 1310B comprise integral flanges 1320A and1320B to be inserted in elongated grooves 1350A and 1350B of exposededges 1330A and 1330B of vertical and horizontal cabinet panels 1340Aand 1340B. In this embodiment, vertical SEBD 1310A has the same heightof vertical cabinet panel 1340A, and horizontal SEBD 1310B has the samelength as horizontal cabinet panel 1340B. In this embodiment, exposedside panel of frameless vertical cabinet panel 1340A has received afinished skin panel 1380 that matches the vertical cabinet panel'sfaçade finish, where finished skin panel 1380 has exposed edge 1385.SEBD 1310A has an asymmetric cross section 1315 that is configured toprovide the look of a framed cabinet and to cover exposed edge 1330A ofvertical cabinet panel 1340A and exposed edge 1385 of finished skinpanel 1380. In this embodiment, SEBD 1310B similarly has an asymmetriccross section 1315 that is configured to provide the look of a framedcabinet and to cover exposed edge 1330B of horizontal cabinet panel1340B.

FIG. 13B depicts system 1300 comprising the assembled upper left portionof the vertical base, wall or tall cabinet panel 1340A having finishedskin panel 1380 and horizontal base, wall or tall cabinet panel 1340Band SEBDs 1310A and 1310B comprising integral flanges 1320A and 1320Bthat are shown as inserted in elongated grooves 1350A and 1350B ofexposed edges 1330A and 1330B of vertical and horizontal cabinet panels1340A and 1340B. In this embodiment, vertical SEBD 1310A has the sameheight of vertical cabinet panel 1340A, and horizontal SEBD 1310B hasthe same length as horizontal cabinet panel 1340B. SEBD 1310A has anasymmetric cross section 1315 that is configured to provide the look ofa framed cabinet and to cover exposed edge 1330A of vertical cabinetpanel 1340A and exposed edge 1385 of finished skin panel 1380. In thisembodiment, SEBD 1310B similarly has an asymmetric cross section 1315that is configured to provide the look of a framed cabinet and to coverexposed edge 1330B of horizontal cabinet panel 1340B.

In the foregoing description, the present invention has been describedwith reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that a person understanding thisinvention may conceive of changes or other embodiments or variations,which utilize the principles of this invention without departing fromthe broader spirit and scope of the invention. The specification anddrawings are, therefore, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive sense. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention belimited except as may be necessary in view of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cabinet having a solid edge banding detail,comprising: at least one vertical panel, the vertical panel comprisingan inner vertical surface, an outer vertical surface, a vertical exposededge disposed between the inner vertical surface and the outer verticalsurface, and an elongated groove disposed in the vertical exposed edge;at least one horizontal panel, the horizontal panel comprising an innerhorizontal surface, an outer horizontal surface, a horizontal exposededge disposed between the inner horizontal surface and the outerhorizontal surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the horizontalexposed edge; a vertical solid edge banding detail, the vertical solidedge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right faceand a back face, wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail furthercomprises an integral flange extending from the back face; and ahorizontal solid edge banding detail, the horizontal solid edge bandingdetail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a backface, wherein the horizontal solid edge banding detail further comprisesan integral flange extending from the back face, wherein the integralflange of the vertical solid edge banding detail is releasably attachedto the vertical panel by an engagement consisting of a frictionalengagement between the integral flange of the vertical solid edgebanding detail and the elongated groove of the vertical panel, whereinthe integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail isreleasably attached to the horizontal panel by an engagement consistingof a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the horizontalsolid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the horizontalpanel, wherein further the outer face, left face and right face of thevertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal solid edge bandingdetail are finished to substantially match the finish of the outervertical surface and the outer horizontal surface, wherein further thevertical solid edge banding covers the vertical exposed edge uponengagement with the vertical panel and the horizontal solid edge bandingcovers the horizontal exposed edge upon engagement with the horizontalpanel.
 2. The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of claim 1,wherein the vertical solid edge banding further comprises a recessdisposed at the upper end of the integral flange.
 3. The cabinet havinga solid edge banding detail of claim 2, wherein the horizontal solidedge banding further comprises a recess disposed at the upper end of theintegral flange.
 4. The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail ofclaim 1, wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail, the horizontaledge banding detail, the vertical panel and the horizontal panelcomprise the same material.
 5. The cabinet having a solid edge bandingdetail of claim 4, where the vertical solid edge banding detail, thehorizontal edge banding detail, the vertical panel and the horizontalpanel comprise wood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber.
 6. The cabinethaving a solid edge banding detail of claim 1, where the vertical solidedge banding detail and the horizontal edge banding detail comprisewood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber.
 7. The cabinet having a solidedge banding detail of claim 1, comprising an aesthetic effect of aframed cabinet.
 8. A cabinet having a solid edge banding detail,comprising: at least one vertical panel, the vertical panel comprisingan inner vertical surface, an outer vertical surface, a vertical exposededge disposed between the inner vertical surface and the outer verticalsurface, and an elongated groove disposed in the vertical exposed edge;at least one horizontal panel, the horizontal panel comprising an innerhorizontal surface, an outer horizontal surface, a horizontal exposededge disposed between the inner horizontal surface and the outerhorizontal surface, and an elongated groove disposed in the horizontalexposed edge; a vertical solid edge banding detail, the vertical solidedge banding detail comprising an outer face, a left face, a right faceand a back face, wherein the vertical solid edge banding detail furthercomprises an integral flange extending from the back face; a horizontalsolid edge banding detail, the horizontal solid edge banding detailcomprising an outer face, a left face, a right face and a back face,wherein the horizontal solid edge banding detail further comprises anintegral flange extending from the back face; and a finished skin paneldisposed on the outer surface of the vertical panel, wherein thefinished skin panel comprises an inner vertical surface, an outervertical surface, a vertical exposed edge disposed between the innervertical surface and the outer vertical surface, wherein the integralflange of the vertical solid edge banding detail is releasably attachedto the vertical panel by an engagement consisting of a frictionalengagement between the integral flange of the vertical solid edgebanding detail and the elongated groove of the vertical panel, whereinthe integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detail isreleasably attached to the horizontal panel by an engagement consistingof a frictional engagement between the integral flange of the horizontalsolid edge banding detail and the elongated groove of the horizontalpanel, wherein further the outer face, left face and right face of thevertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal solid edge bandingdetail are finished to substantially match the finish of the outervertical surface and the outer horizontal surface, wherein further thevertical solid edge banding covers the vertical exposed edges of thevertical panel and the finished skin panel upon engagement with thevertical panel and the horizontal solid edge banding covers thehorizontal exposed edge upon engagement with the horizontal panel. 9.The cabinet having a solid edge banding detail of claim 8, wherein thevertical solid edge banding detail, the horizontal edge banding detail,the vertical panel, the horizontal panel and the finished skin panelcomprise the same material.
 10. The cabinet having a solid edge bandingdetail of claim 9, where the vertical solid edge banding detail, thehorizontal edge banding detail, the vertical panel, the horizontal paneland the finished skin panel comprise wood, plywood or MDF.
 11. Thecabinet having a solid edge banding detail of claim 8, where thevertical solid edge banding detail and the horizontal edge bandingdetail comprise wood, plywood, MDF, plastic or rubber.
 12. The cabinethaving a solid edge banding detail of claim 8, comprising an aestheticeffect of a framed cabinet.
 13. A item having a solid edge bandingdetail, comprising: at least one vertical panel, the vertical panelcomprising an inner vertical surface, an outer vertical surface, avertical exposed edge disposed between the inner vertical surface andthe outer vertical surface, and an elongated groove disposed in thevertical exposed edge; at least one horizontal panel, the horizontalpanel comprising an inner horizontal surface, an outer horizontalsurface, a horizontal exposed edge disposed between the inner horizontalsurface and the outer horizontal surface, and an elongated groovedisposed in the horizontal exposed edge; a vertical solid edge bandingdetail, the vertical solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face,a left face, a right face and a back face, wherein the vertical solidedge banding detail further comprises an integral flange extending fromthe back face; and a horizontal solid edge banding detail, thehorizontal solid edge banding detail comprising an outer face, a leftface, a right face and a back face, wherein the horizontal solid edgebanding detail further comprises an integral flange extending from theback face, wherein the integral flange of the vertical solid edgebanding detail is releasably attached to the vertical panel by anengagement consisting of a frictional engagement between the integralflange of the vertical solid edge banding detail and the elongatedgroove of the vertical panel, wherein the integral flange of thehorizontal solid edge banding detail is releasably attached to thehorizontal panel by an engagement consisting of a frictional engagementbetween the integral flange of the horizontal solid edge banding detailand the elongated groove of the horizontal panel, wherein further theouter face, left face and right face of the vertical solid edge bandingdetail and the horizontal solid edge banding detail are finished tosubstantially match the finish of the outer vertical surface and theouter horizontal surface, wherein further the vertical solid edgebanding covers the vertical exposed edge upon engagement with thevertical panel and the horizontal solid edge banding covers thehorizontal exposed edge upon engagement with the horizontal panel. 14.The item of claim 13, wherein the item comprises a cabinet, a shelf, apiece of furniture or an element of a closet organizer system.
 15. Theitem of claim 14, wherein the furniture comprises ready-to-assemblefurniture.